Gwydir Shire Council
Update from Hunter New England Population Health
If Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected in the drinking water at Warialda above the current Australian Drinking Water Guideline value.
Gwydir Shire Council is urgently investigating the bores and possible sources, and considering possible solutions with the support of NSW Health, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the NSW Environment Protection Authority. Information from the investigation will be shared with residents as it becomes available.
PFAS are chemicals used to make products which resist heat, stains, grease and water. PFAS remain in the environment, including water and soil, for a long time. PFAS chemicals can build up in the body and take a long time to be removed. A detailed fact sheet on PFAS and health is available on the enHealth website at: https://www.health.gov.au/.../enhealth-fact-sheet-on-per...
At this point, the excess PFAS levels have been found in the North Reservoir. Council will test all of the bores that feed reservoirs to try to identify the source of PFAS. If a single bore is the source of contamination, then that bore could be isolated from supplying the reservoir.
NSW Health advises that continuing to drink the water in Warialda in the short term is unlikely to pose a health risk for residents. However, acknowledging community concerns, free bottled water will be provided by Hunter New England Population Health in the coming days for people who would prefer to use this for drinking and cooking as the investigation takes place. The water also continues to be safe for showering, washing dishes, laundry. PFAS is not readily absorbed through skin.
Further updates will be given as information is received.
Dr Craig Dalton
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